Families Of Veterans

When a family member has completed service in the Armed Forces, it’s up to you to offer support and a listening ear as needed. Chances are the veteran in your life will want to be in a loving and understanding environment after deployment. Some former soldiers don’t want to talk about the things they’ve seen and endured while deployed and at war, which is why it’s up to families of veterans to recognize the signs that indicate that help and additional support is necessary. Families of veterans will sometimes have to set boundaries in order to help the former serviceman/women in their lives. Often, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (one in every eight soldiers who returns home from a war has this condition, according to MSNBC), will include veterans having trouble sleeping through the night, or having emotional outbursts. As a family member, you may have to set guidelines for the veteran by creating a relaxing space in the home that the veteran can take advantage of any time of day or night without disturbing the rest of the family. Veterans may also have a distorted view of what it means be financially stable after returning home from war or deployment. You may have to meet with a financial counselor who specializes in teaching budget guidelines to families of veterans. This may include opening up a separate bank account until the veteran is more accustomed to civilian life or having a family budget meeting once a week. Financial advisors can also point families of veterans in the direction of monetary advantages that are available to those who have served in the military, such as home loans and money for college education. Families of veterans are encouraged to contact the local Department of Veteran Affairs branch for accessible resources that will make life for veterans and their loved ones more fulfilling.